Three face trial for abduction of East Canje man

Three individuals are currently undergoing trial at the Berbice High Court for the abduction of a man from East Canje.

Anil Parvitan, known as “Black Boy,” aged 33, a painter residing at Lot 161 New Street, Cumberland; Dharamnauth Gafur, also called “Dharam and Ryan,” aged 25, a laborer of Lot 164 New Street, Cumberland; and Leon Balgobin, referred to as “Searsman,” aged 45, of Lot 18 Bristol Street, Cumberland, East Canje Berbice, appeared before the Honorable Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall on Wednesday.

The court read two charges to the accused. The first alleges that on August 17, 2022, at Garrison Road, New Amsterdam, the three men abducted 65-year-old Anarine Indranarine, also known as “Zar or Zaru,” with the intent of unlawfully or wrongfully confining him.

The second charge asserts that on the same date and at the same location, Parvitan, Gafur, and Balgobin assaulted Indranarine, causing him actual bodily harm.

All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following their plea, a 12-member jury was empaneled, and the trial commenced.

Marisa Edwards, representing the State, called nine witnesses, including five police officers and one medical practitioner.

During the proceedings, the complainant, Indranarine, testified that Parvitan, Gafur, Balgobin, along with another individual and the driver of a vehicle, were inside a car along Garrison Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice. He stated that he was assaulted and subsequently coerced into the vehicle.

Indranarine further testified that the accused alleged he had killed a man and concealed the body. He indicated that Parvitan, Gafur, and Balgobin took him to Bellevue Village, and insisted he identify the location were the missing individual was.

Indranarine testified that while they were halfway down the dam at Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice, they spotted the missing man, who confirmed that Indranarine had not harmed him.

Indranarine recounted that shortly thereafter, his attackers summoned two vehicles, one of which he entered, to escape the backdam.

Indranarine mentioned that he visited Central Police Station and filed a report. Subsequently, he went to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital to seek medical attention.

He stated that Parvitan, Gafur, and Balgobin were informed of the allegation, cautioned, arrested, and charged. They were subsequently granted bail.

The trial is expected to continue over several days, during which all witnesses will testify.

Representing the accused were Attorney-at-law Kevin Morgan from the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic.